Sarguneswarar Temple, Karuveli – The Temple
This is a small temple facing east. The presiding deity
is called as Sarguneswarar, a form of Shiva. Lord Siva is Swambumoorthy here.
Mother is called as Sarvanga Nayaki. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree. Theertham
of this Temple is Yama Theertham. Before entering the temple it is a common
ritual for the people to go into the sprawling tank called Yama Theertham
located opposite to the temple, wash their hands and legs and sprinkle the
water over their head. It is believed that Yama bathed here before worshipping
Lord Sarguneswarar.
Taking a dip in it and worshipping Lord Sarguneswarar
will remove the fear of death, so goes the local legend. The Nandi Mandapam or
Nandikeswara is located just outside the main prakara. This Sannidhi is always
placed just outside the main Sanctum of Lord Shiva with the Nandhi looking
towards the main deity. The entry into the main temple is through the three
storied Raja gopuram leading to the main sanctum. As in all South Indian
temples here too the main Sanctum Santorum is of Lord Shiva Sri Sarguneswarar
in the form of a Swayambu Linga of a modest height and simple decorations.
Lord Shiva here is said to reflect the much softer side
of him radiating a sense of peace, calm and an unexplained sense of happiness
and relief. Sarvanga Sundari Amman around 5.5 feet in height and with four
hands in standing position is seen in a separate Sanctum sanctorum (sannidhi)
facing east. The face of the idol radiates a wonderful feeling of calm beauty
and peace, automatically makes you feel relieved of all stress and anxieties.
It is a magical feeling that cannot be explained but only felt.
In the main Mandapam there is a separate sannidhi for
Lord Nataraja. A marble statue of Hanuman can be seen in a separate
Mandapam. Goddess Durgai with her Simha Vahanam can also be
worshipped inside Ambal sannidhi. Unlike other south Indian temples this temple
does not have a separate sannidhi for Navagrahas. Within the temple complex we
can find the beautiful statue of Valampuri Vinayakar and various
statues of Nagas under Pipal and Neem Tree.
There are also shrines for Dhana
Ganapathy, Bala Murugan, Brahma, Durga, Ardhanarishvara, Bhairava, Chandikeswara and
Dhakshinamoorthy. It is considered as the place where the marriage of Shiva and
Parvathi was blessed by Vishnu, this place is believed to be of great power
especially for those wanting to be married or to be gifted with a child.
